7.37 USAGE NOTE

A few verbs can be used with a 'to'-infinitive clause to report requests when the hearer is mentioned in a prepositional phrase.

• An officer shouted to us to stop all the noise.
• I pleaded with him to tell me.

Here is a list of these verbs and the prepositions used with them:

• appeal to, plead with, shout at, shout to, whisper to, yell at

7.38

In ordinary conversation, requests are often put in the form of a question. For example, you might say 'Will you help me?' instead of 'Help me'. Similarly, reported requests often look like reported questions.

• People ask me if I can lend them fifty dollars.

When you report a request like this, you can mention both the person receiving it and the person making it.

• He asked me whether I would help him.

Alternatively, you can just mention the person making it.

• He asked if I would answer some questions.

7.39

You can report a request in which someone asks if they can do something by using a 'to'-infinitive clause after 'ask' or 'demand'.

• I asked to see the manager.